The independent short film Finesse stars a close-knit creative team—Abdul, Chad, and Steven—who recently sat down for an insightful conversation with Roselyn Omaka, the director of the Houston Comedy Film Festival. In this engaging interview, the filmmakers discussed their journey, the collaborative spirit behind their project, and shared practical advice for aspiring filmmakers.

Turning a Feature Script into a Short Film

Abdul, the creator of Finesse, began with a feature-length script but chose to rework it into a short film as a proof of concept. This strategic approach allowed the team to showcase the story’s humor, style, and potential in a manageable format.

Abdul explained, “I wanted to write a feature film that I could direct, like a very low-budget feature that’d be easy for production companies to do… to give it like an extra step forward, we made a short film out of it.”

This enabled them to present a compelling demonstration of their project’s potential aimed at attracting production companies and investors.

The Power of Team Chemistry and Improvisation

Chad, who plays Danny, highlighted the strong chemistry among the cast, which made filming enjoyable and authentic. Many jokes emerged spontaneously on set through improvisation, creating genuine comedic moments. Chad noted, “They really allowed me just to improvise on the day… a lot of those jokes were just things we came up with like on the day.” His longtime friendship with fellow cast members, such as Kearsten, helped foster natural interactions that translated well on screen, giving the film a genuine familial feel.

Tackling Challenges with Creative Solutions

Despite a smooth production, the team faced challenges. With only two days to shoot an extensive shot list in an older house, timing and logistics were difficult. Chad described the challenge of working with a child actor within the limited schedule: “I was trying to get to know him… Just trying to be like a big brother to him to get that chemistry going.” He emphasized the importance of bonding off-camera to foster natural performances.

Another unforgettable challenge involved the fragile porcelain egg prop, guarded vigilantly by the production designer to prevent damage—a humorous reminder of the care necessary when working with precious elements on set.

Technical Adaptations and Sound Management

Though all interior scenes were shot during the day, the cinematographer created convincing nighttime aesthetics by blocking out windows. The team creatively addressed creaky floorboards and other sound challenges, exemplifying their flexibility and resourcefulness in managing production quality.

Collaborative Directing with Effective Communication

Steven, co-director, shared how working on a film he hadn’t written presented initial challenges that were eased by Abdul’s clear vision: “He was very clear as to how he wanted this film to be pulled off.” The directors relied on honest, continuous communication. Abdul recounted a key moment facilitating complex shots: “I was behind the cinematographer tapping his shoulder every time the dialogue ended… It was like an improv on the moment that really saved the film.” The collaboration fostered confidence among cast and crew alike.

Filmmaking Advice from the Team

The Finesse team offered practical and inspiring advice for filmmakers. Steven summarized: “Just make the film. A lot of people will write scripts but won’t do anything with them.” Abdul encouraged embracing imperfection: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes… sometimes it takes a team to figure things out.” He also stressed the emotional core of filmmaking: “Have fun with it. If you’re not having fun, the quality of your movie is not going to be good.” He urged creators to

“make the movie that you want to see, that you want to go to the theater and see.”

Building a Lasting Legacy and Attracting Investors

A key goal for Abdul and his team is to earn the trust of investors to finance their feature projects. Abdul shared his ambition: “I want to make feature films playing in theaters all across the world. I’m going to make my own short films until someone sees my filmography and trusts me to make a feature.” This path highlights the importance of tangible proof of concept, like Finesse, as a strategy for attracting investment and enabling larger-scale productions.

Conclusion

Through their candid conversation with Roselyn Omaka, director of the Houston Comedy Film Festival, the creative minds behind Finesse demonstrate how strong team chemistry, clear communication, detailed preparation, and passion combine to produce a professional, heartfelt independent film. Their journey and strategic approach provide valuable inspiration for filmmakers aiming not only to create art but also to secure funding and reach wider audiences.

Los Angeles, September 2, 2025 — Rapper Cardi B is in the midst of a high-profile civil trial involving a $24 million lawsuit filed by former security guard Emani Ellis. The case stems from an incident in 2018 in the hallway of a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office, where Cardi B was approximately four months pregnant and seeking to keep her pregnancy private.

Ellis alleges that Cardi B assaulted her by scratching her face with a long fingernail, striking her head, face, and body, and spitting on her during a confrontation that took place after Ellis allegedly tried to record the rapper on her phone without consent. The security guard claims this encounter led to physical injuries requiring medical treatment and psychological effects including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Ellis also accuses Cardi B of employing racial slurs during the altercation and retaliating to get her fired from her security job.

Cardi B has denied all allegations of physical assault, testifying that Ellis was the aggressor who followed her, recorded her, and verbally provoked a heated exchange. The rapper maintained that the interaction lasted about 60 to 90 seconds, involved no physical contact, and was limited to a verbal spat. Cardi B’s lawyers have highlighted inconsistencies in Ellis’s account, such as changing descriptions of the location of injuries and the lack of immediate medical or photographic evidence. Cardi also pointed to testimony from a doctor’s receptionist and obstetrician who did not witness any injuries on Ellis and who described Ellis as the instigator of the incident.

Recently, a judge issued rulings favorable to Cardi B’s defense, limiting some evidence against her. The court also allowed jurors to ask their own questions during testimony, adding an unusual dynamic to the proceedings. Closing arguments were anticipated to start by early September 2025.

The trial has attracted widespread media attention for its mix of celebrity drama and serious legal questions. Cardi B’s candid courtroom demeanor and her signature style, including her distinctive fingernails, were key elements of her testimony and the case. Both sides have presented sharply contrasting versions of events, and jurors will face the difficult task of determining the truth of allegations that could reshape both parties’ lives.

As of now, the jury has not yet rendered a verdict, and the case remains active with the final decision pending.

Angie Lin, a multidisciplinary artist and graduate of USC School of Cinematic Arts, is making a remarkable mark as a finalist at the 2025 Houston Comedy Film Festival with her deeply personal and inspiring indie film, Cost of Joy. Drawing from her own life’s toughest moments, Angie crafts a story about hitting rock bottom and finding joy in the smallest things—a theme many can relate to in today’s chaotic world.

Angie’s career began as an actress, with international recognition for award-winning indie films such as Dive Into The Blue and Manchukuo, 1943, Summer. She was a series regular on The Plaza, a Cpics TV original, and has appeared in commercials for Xfinity and NBA Finals. Recently, Angie has expanded into theater, stunts, editing, writing, and directing. She has performed at The Group Rep theater in North Hollywood and starred alongside top stunt professionals worldwide. She is also set to train at the 2025 Jackie Chan Stunt Team Action Film Camp. Passionate about exploring mental health and spirituality through her projects, Angie uses art to spread love and joy and inspire positive outlooks on life.

At the festival, Angie sat down with Roselyn Omaka, the festival’s director, to discuss her heartfelt film and creative process. Angie shared:

“My film, Cost of Joy, is about the dip before the rise in life. It’s very personal—it’s about a series of trauma I went through, that lowest of lowest point before it shifted my perspective and I started to appreciate the little things and found joy.”

What makes Angie’s story even more inspiring is how she brought this film to life almost entirely on her own. She wrote, directed, edited, and starred in the project herself. Budget constraints pushed her to wear many hats, but Angie views this as a creative advantage:

“When you don’t have a budget, you gotta do everything yourself. It was easier because it’s so hard to get everyone’s schedule aligned. With a whole team, it takes months to plan things; solo, I already know what I want so it doesn’t take 20 takes per scene—usually two or three.”

Her drive to act fast on ideas comes with a sense of urgency inspired by creative legends:

“I would get these images and think, ‘I need to make this happen because if I don’t, somebody else will.’”

Angie encourages others not to let perfectionism or budget stop them:

“You can make it happen, even if you have a very low budget or you’re a one-person team. Don’t let your ideas sit and get forgotten.”

Recently, Angie trained at Jackie Chan’s stunt camp in Beijing, learning martial arts and action filmmaking from top industry pros. This rich experience intensified her desire to mentor emerging filmmakers, with plans to become an executive producer and create a nonprofit supporting new artists.

Angie also highlighted the importance of authenticity in collaboration:

“People can sense when you’re being fake or desperate, and it turns them off. If you’re passionate and authentic, people will naturally want to collaborate.”

Angie Lin’s journey and Cost of Joy exemplify the spirit of indie filmmaking: courage, creativity, and unwavering commitment to telling one’s story. Her film stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration at the Houston Comedy Film Festival.

Follow Angie’s inspiring journey on Instagram @angielinofficial.

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